Is it allowed to leave Northern Cyprus while applying for a residence permit — exit rules when applying for a residence permit

Obtaining a residence permit in Northern Cyprus (TRNC) takes time, and often during this period there is a need to travel urgently — for work, health, or personal reasons. It is important to understand at which stage of the process you are allowed to leave, for how long, and which documents to take with you so as not to disrupt the residence permit process or incur fines at the border.

• Conditions for leaving the TRNC during the residence permit process
• Where to get help with obtaining a residence permit

Conditions for leaving the TRNC during the residence permit process

The key point is at what stage of the residence permit process you are. In the personal account of the residence permit system (the TRNC Ministry of Interior online portal), progress is shown in percentages: 20%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 100%. Each stage is tied to specific actions and provides different possibilities for traveling outside Northern Cyprus.

Basic practical rule: if you have already submitted the full set of documents and attended a police appointment, you may leave the TRNC, but not for more than 60 calendar days from the date of the police visit. This is typically the time allowed by law for reviewing the application and processing the residence permit.

At the border, generally, no problems arise if your residence permit process is active, but it is recommended to:

• have a printout or screenshot from your personal account showing the status (percentage) and submission date;
• have your application number and main details (full name, address, contact phone in the TRNC);
• plan your trip so as not to “get stuck” at the 60% stage longer than allowed, and in case of a long delay, be ready to contact the Ministry of Interior in Nicosia.

The issue of traveling at 20%, 50%, and 60% statuses is discussed in more detail in our special article: “Can you leave Northern Cyprus while your residence permit is being processed”.

What happens if you are absent for more than 60 days?

In legal practice, there are cases where, during a long absence of the applicant, the residence permit process is effectively “frozen” until their return, and sometimes the system needs to be “completed” through appeals to government authorities. Additionally, if a visa or old residence permit expires simultaneously, upon the next entry, fines for overstaying or reprocessing may be required.

Recommendation: if there is no critical need to leave, it is better to complete the residence permit process (reach 100%) and only then plan long trips. In emergency situations (operations, serious family circumstances), it makes sense to consult a lawyer in advance and, if possible, notify the police or the immigration office.

If you want to obtain a residence permit without unnecessary errors and problems

Contact our partner — the law firm DeJure.

DeJure specialists will help to:

• assess your situation and advise whether it is safe to travel at your current stage;
• properly prepare documents to minimize the risk of stuck statuses and repeated visits;
• accompany your application to immigration authorities if the residence permit process is delayed or non-standard situations arise.

Phone: +90 539 119 05 55
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